Anthropology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their anthropology programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 597 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for anthropology students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Anthropology School
Where you study anthropology matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Anthropology Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Anthropology Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for anthropology. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 37 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of Chicago
Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Vanderbilt University awarded about 16 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
Get the full anthropology details for Vanderbilt University
Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at Dartmouth College, which ranked #3. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dartmouth College awarded about 30 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $40,071. Typical student debt for the program is $14,363.
Read more about the anthropology program at Dartmouth College
Northwestern University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $33,208 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
See the full anthropology program report for Northwestern University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. About 75 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $36,211 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,982.
Read more about the anthropology program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Duke University placed #6 among the best anthropology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Duke University earn around $43,924 in the first couple years of their career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans.
Get the full anthropology details for Duke University
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for anthropology this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 37 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of Pennsylvania
Harvard University landed the #8 spot for anthropology this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 anthropology degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $95,207 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Get the full anthropology details for Harvard University
Washington University In St Louis earned the #9 position for anthropology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 85 anthropology degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $34,489. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
See the full anthropology program report for Washington University In St Louis
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #10 for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 37 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full anthropology details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #11 position for anthropology this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 113 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $31,420. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
Read more about the anthropology program at University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #12 spot for anthropology this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 36 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $33,837. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,070 in student loans.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of Maryland College Park
Brown University placed #13 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. Brown University awarded about 24 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree.
See the full anthropology program report for Brown University
University Of California Berkeley earned the #14 position for anthropology this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 83 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $28,661. Typical student debt for the program is $12,949.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of California Berkeley
Tufts University placed #15 among the best anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 10 anthropology degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans.
Read more about the anthropology program at Tufts University
Princeton University landed the #16 spot for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Princeton University awarded about 45 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Princeton University earn around $67,532 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree.
Get the full anthropology details for Princeton University
University Of California Los Angeles placed #17 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. About 194 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $32,300. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #18 spot for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 43 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $32,778 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Read more about the anthropology program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Irvine placed #19 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 69 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $30,509. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,667 in student loans.
More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of California Irvine
University Of California Davis placed #20 among the best anthropology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 65 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $28,059 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of California Davis
New York University placed #21 among the best anthropology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 55 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from New York University earn around $64,516 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans.
Read more about the anthropology program at New York University
Wellesley College earned the #22 position for anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 13 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Wellesley College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Wellesley College earn around $31,973 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,075.
Get the full anthropology details for Wellesley College
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #23 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 40 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $19,775 in student loans.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Florida earned the #24 position for anthropology this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Florida awarded about 137 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $40,178 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,639 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of Florida
Barnard College earned the #25 position for anthropology this year. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 anthropology degrees were awarded at Barnard College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $50,790. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at Barnard College
Rest of the Top 50 Anthropology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s anthropology ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 597 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
